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I smile to myself. “I’ve been known to give a good massage.”
“Well, your next girlfriend will be very lucky.”
I decide against offering to give her one later. Might sound like a come-on, even though it comes from a pure place. “I don’t want you to feel stressed, Stella. All you have to do is be yourself,” I murmur, getting another splat of sunscreen.
“I thought youdidn’twant me to be myself.”
I push my hands onto her lower back, right above the waistband of her bikini. My mouth dries thinking about what’s underneath. “I think we’re both more comfortable when you’re comfortable. Does that make sense?”
Stella glances over her shoulder at me. Her hazel eyes feel as though they’re drawing me closer. I’m already too close. If I got any closer, our lips might meet, and I’d be done for. “Really?”
I nod. “Really, Stella.” I chew on my lower lip and let my eyes fall from hers so as not to fall deeper into her spell. “Makes this feel a little more normal.”
“So, you’re saying I should bully you more? Would that make you feel more normal?” she teases.
“Go right ahead. It’ll be like we’re back in that States.”
We both laugh. And before I can draw away, Stella leans into me and kisses my cheek. Her lips are so tender. Perhaps we are both more special to each other than we’ve previously acknowledged. After all, we share Colin, someone so special to us in completely different ways.
“What was that for?” I ask softly.
Stella shrugs. “For pretend.”
I try to remember this the rest of the day when I feel my cheeks flushing when she looks my way or my nerves trembling when she’s next to me.
Suddenly, this isn’t feeling so pretend.
Chapter 8
Stella
Ifeelagustof wind up my short dress. Tonight, I’ve opted to wear something Flynn bought for me. We’re out at a club in Mykonos or should I say I’moutsidea club in Mykonos. Everyone else is inside enjoying themselves in a private lounge with bottle service and mood lighting.
I feel like a fish out of water. As much as Flynn tries to make me feel comfortable or Cash compliments me, I just feel like I’m living a lie.
I guess Itechnicallyam. That doesn’t bother me in and of itself. It’s just when Adelaide or her two goons watch me, their eyes trained on me like a lion trying to catch a wildebeest, I start to feel that they can see right through me.
I’m a normie. Not famous, not special. I’m not skinny and I don’t follow a diet and I don’t really care if my hair gets wet or if my leg hair is a little long. It’s funny how I’ve always been jealous of the model types. I’ve spent too much time in my life striving to diet or exercise my way into a size two and too much money at the salon to get my hair looking exactly the way I want it.
I feel like they see me as a woman who gave up. And maybe I did.
Maybe that’s how Flynn sees me.
I am leaning up against the wall of the club, watching the line of people grow longer and longer as they wait to get inside. The air smells like salt water and cigarettes. I can’t seem to shake that smell, even on the boat. Adelaide seems to go through a pack a day. How could Flynn want to kiss an ashtray?
I feel my phone buzz in my clutch and pull it out. Call from Colin. Perfect timing. “Hey,” I answer quickly.
“Didn’t think I’d catch you. How are you doing?”
“I’ve been better,” I say quietly.
“Sounds busy where you are.”
“Yeah, we’re… we’re at a club. I’m just outside because it’s a little too intense for me.”
Colin hesitates. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes, everything’s okay. Don’t be a worry wart. This is just a lot to take in.” It’s only been four days since I landed in Athens, yet I feel like it’s been weeks away from my home.
